Golden Cue
About This Machine
Golden Cue is a solid-state pinball machine designed by Jon Norris, produced by Sega Pinball in 1998 in collaboration with Incredible Technologies (makers of the "Golden Tee" golf video games). Its playfield layout is reportedly based on Bally's 1981 'Eight Ball Deluxe.' Golden Cue was shown at the ATEI trade show in 1999, but its rules were never finished and it was never officially released — only a handful of test units (approximately 10) were built before the project was reworked into Stern's 2000 'Sharkey's Shootout.'
Gameplay centers on a goal-oriented checklist: rather than simply accumulating points over a fixed number of balls, players must complete a set list of objectives, with the game ending once the checklist is finished (or after five balls are played, whichever comes first). Completing objectives faster earns bonus timer points, and the game also features "Minimum Assured Scoring," guaranteeing a player a certain score once specific objectives are met. Three ball-saves and a set of extra posts between the flippers, controlled by a second set of flipper buttons, round out the game's mechanical features.
Because it was never formally released, Golden Cue survives only in a small number of prototype units, making it a rare curiosity for collectors interested in unreleased Sega-era pinball designs and the crossover between pinball and Incredible Technologies' tournament-linked arcade games.
Images (20)
Technical Details
- Theme:
- Billiards
- Model Number:
- 64
- Notable Features:
- 3 Ball Saves. Has Left Post, Right Post, and Up-Post between flippers, all operated by a second set of flipper buttons. Goal oriented play: Player must complete a task checklist and then the games ends. The faster the player completes the checklist, the more timer points they score. Various shots may pause the timer (depending on configuration and tournament rules). Once the checklist is complete, the game is done. Maximum of five balls per play. Draining ball five ends the game, although completing the checklist on an earlier ball also ends the game as noted above. Also described as having "Minimum Assured Scoring": If a player completes a specific set of objectives, they are guaranteed a specific score. This can be used to make the players score appear to be much greater than it really is, giving the player the illusion that a mediocre final score is close to an excellent final score. Designed by Sega Pinball and Incredible Technologies, the makers of the well known "Golden Tee" golf games. Like Golden Tee, this game was designed to be linked to other games and tournaments across the country, with prizes awarded to high scorers.
Credits
- Designer:
- Jon Norris
- Artist:
- Morgan Weistling
- Software:
- Lonnie D. Ropp, Orin Day
- Music:
- Kyle Johnson
- Mechanics:
- Rob Hurtado
- Dots/Animation:
- Kurt Andersen